Compare South East MOT Centres & Book an Appointment At the Best One Before Your Expiry Date to Ensure Your Vehicle is Road Legal

If your car is due an MOT test, you must book an appointment before the expiry date to continue driving on the roads around the South East. The test checks whether your car meets road safety and environmental standards, and you will be prosecuted if caught driving without a valid MOT certificate.

The only exception to this rule is if you are driving it to a garage for repairs after a failed test or to a pre-booked MOT.

Book your MOT well in advance to avoid the risk of missing your test date. You can book up to 12 months in advance through our online comparison site and save up to 70% on an MOT near you in the process by comparing deals.

Enter your vehicle reg and postcode to compare instant prices and book an MOT near you in 3 steps today.

Why Use BookMyGarage For Your MOT in the South East?

We have helped over 5 million drivers compare and save on their MOT, servicing and repair costs at local garages. In fact, when you compare garages in the South East through our online comparison site, you can save up to 70% when you choose one of the lower-cost options!

As one of the UK’s leading MOT and service comparison sites, we’re dedicated to helping drivers save money on their car maintenance. Here are just some of the ways we keep you in control of booking your MOT in the South East:

Transparent Prices. Garages on our comparison site always set and update their own prices, so there are no nasty surprises at the end of your appointment. This price won’t change unless you agree to extra repairs directly with the garage.

Filter Garages Your Way. Whether you want to book the cheapest MOT in the South East or care more about the garage’s reviews, we’ve got you covered. You can filter your search results by price, reviews & ratings, distance, availability and additional services to find the best deal for your needs.

Plenty of Choice. We may recommend certain garages depending on your location or the product you select, but you always have the final say. There are thousands of fast-fit, independent and franchised garages on our online comparison site, so you’re able to see all your options and choose the best local garage for you.

Clear Communication Throughout. After you make your booking, we’ll never leave you in the dark. Not only do we provide a confirmation email ourselves, but we also pass your contact details on to your chosen garage. This means they can keep in touch throughout the process. They may send you a confirmation email themselves and will contact you whenever there is a development with your MOT in the South East. That way, you get the peace of mind you deserve.

How to Book Your MOT in the South East

1. Enter your vehicle reg and postcode.
2. Compare deals. You can sort garages in your area by whatever best suits your needs: price, distance, reviews and ratings or availability.
3. Pick a date and time for your appointment.

After you book your MOT in the South East, we send you a confirmation email with a summary of your booking. We also inform the garage and they may also be in touch to confirm the appointment or to ask for extra details.

You never pay for your booking until after all the work has been completed and deal with the garage directly after the initial booking process. You also have the ability to change or cancel your booking for free until the day of your appointment.

When Is My MOT Due?

If you’re not sure when your MOT is due, enter your reg and postcode into our FREE MOT Checker & find out in a matter of seconds. We pull your vehicle’s information directly from the DVSA database to tell you exactly when your MOT is due. 

You can then book an MOT in 3 simple steps if your expiry date is approaching.

FAQs

What is an MOT Test?

An MOT test, or Ministry of Transport Test, is an essential annual vehicle check to assess roadworthiness and safety standards. It ensures all vehicles on UK roads are maintained to a certain standard, improving road safety standards in the process.

What Do I Do if My MOT is Overdue?

If your MOT is overdue you must book a test immediately. It is illegal to drive on public roads in the UK without a valid MOT certificate.

You can book an MOT online today by entering your vehicle registration and postcode into our comparison site.

How Long Does an MOT Take?

An MOT usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes. Many garages offer an ‘MOT-while-you-wait’ service with waiting rooms and refreshments onsite.

If your car fails and needs extra repairs, it will take a lot longer. The test centre will be able to give you a time estimate based on the severity of your repairs.

Do I Need an MOT?

You will need an MOT, by law, if you drive a vehicle registered three or more years ago. This means that all drivers of vehicles registered in or before 2019 must book an MOT in 2022.

If your car is less than three years old, you do not need an MOT but you can choose to book one if you wish.

What is Tested In an MOT?

• Seats & Seat Belts
• Warning Lights
• Switches (position lamp, headlights, hazard lights)
• Windscreen Condition, Wipers & Washers
• Brake Controls
• Steering Wheel & Column
• Doors, Mirrors & Horn
• Speedometer & Driver Controls (Class 5 only)
• Licence Plates
• Lights & Licence Plate Lights
• Indicators & Hazard Lights
• Headlights & Aim
• Brake Lights, Fog Lights & Reflectors
• Wheels & Tyres
• Shock Absorbers
• Mirrors, Wiper Blades & Fuel Tank Cap
• Glazing (Class 5 only)
• Doors, Boot Lid, Loading Doors, Bonnet
• Towbars
• Bodywork Condition
• Chassis
• Brake System
• Exhaust & Fuel Systems
• Speed Limited (if applicable)
• Steering & Power Steering Components
• Suspension Components
• Fuel Tank
• Drive Shafts (if applicable)
• Emissions
• Wheel Bearings

One of the driest and warmest regions of the UK, the South East doesn’t suffer particularly from weather-related traffic problems. However, congestion is a major issue in the urban conurbations; hotspots include the Eastern Bypass Road, Oxford and A30 Ringway South, Basingstoke, Hampshire, which rate among the worst in the country for time wasted in traffic jams.

Although they remain the safest roads to travel on, the South East’s motorways have the worst safety record in the country, with 9 fatal and serious crashes per billion vehicle kilometres. There are 7 major motorways (M1, M40, M4, M2, M20, M23 and M3), all of which connect to London’s peripheral M25, which runs near to and occasionally through the region's border with Greater London.